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Dendrophthoe pentandra

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Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq.

Family Name: Loranthaceae
Synonyms: Amylotheca pentandrus
Common Name: Malayan Mistletoe, Mistletoe Plant, 五蕊寄生

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Shrub
Mode of Nutrition Heterotrophic (Symbiotic - Parasite of)

Biogeography

Native Distribution Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, East India, Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan.
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form A parasitic, woody shrub, it can grow up to 2m in height.  
Foliage The simple leaves are arranged alternately along the branches and are lanceolate to elliptic in shape. The leaf blade is thick and leathery, the lateral veins are conspicuous and 2 to 4 pairs can be seen. The leaf blade is approximately 8 to 10cm long.  
Stems The stems are greyish and lenticellate. 
Flowers The cylindrical flowers are borne on axillary racemes and are bisexual. The corolla is pink or orange and is slightly inflated at the base. The stamens and stigma are extruded.  
Fruit The fruit is a red berry which is minutely pilose or glabrous.  
Associated Flora Lumnitzera species are observed to be the preferred hosts in Singapore.

Landscaping Features

Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens
Thematic Landscaping Naturalistic Garden, Butterfly Garden
Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks A parasitic plant, its growth on the host tree needs to be kept in check to prevent deterioration of the host tree.

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Butterfly Host Plant (Leaves, Associated with: Delias hyparete metarete (Butler, 1879)), Bird-Attracting
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Butterfly, Moth))
Seed or Spore Dispersal Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade, Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Elliptical, Oblong)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute, Rounded
Foliar Base Cuneate, Rounded / Obtuse

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Green, Pink, Yellow / Golden, Orange
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Inflorescence Type Raceme

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Pink, Red
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit

References

References Yang et al. 2013 The current status of mangrove forests in Singapore. Proceedings of Nature Society, Singapore's conference on 'Nature Conservation for a Sustainable Singapore' - 16th October 2011. pp 99- 120.

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Master ID 9258
Species ID 3318
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 17 September 2024.
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